7-day tour of the imperial cities and the Rif region

Arrival in Tangier in the morning (please note that there may be a time difference depending on the time of year). After passport control and collecting your luggage, you will meet your driver who will accompany you throughout the tour. We will head to Cape Spartel, where the waters of the Mediterranean Sea meet the Atlantic Ocean. Next, we will visit the Caves of Hercules, 5 km away. We will then continue towards Tetouan, a city known as "The White Dove" for its luminosity and the predominant color of its houses. Once there, we will visit the Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, accompanied by a local guide. You will be able to appreciate the Andalusian influence, as it was the capital of the Spanish Protectorate of Morocco for many years. Accommodation and dinner in a Riad in the Medina or a 4-star hotel.

Note: Depending on the flight arrival time, the visit to Tetouan may be rescheduled for the following morning.

Today we'll travel to Chefchaouen, a city nestled at the foot of Mount Tisouka (2,050m) and Mount Megou (1,616m), whose Berber name means "Look at the Horns," referring to the two peaks that dominate the landscape. Along the way, we'll make a detour to the Akchour Waterfalls to stretch our legs and take some photos. Once in "the blue city," we'll embark on a guided tour with a local guide.

The blend of unfamiliar voices and sounds will lead us through the winding alleyways to our meeting point and resting place, Uta el-Hammam Square, where we can observe the comings and goings of the locals and admire the beauty of the Grand Mosque. We'll then continue our tour with a visit to the Kasbah (built in the 17th century) and its gardens. A few steps further on, we'll find Makhzen Square. We'll take an alley leading northeast to Bab el-Ansar and the Ras el-Maa fountain, one of the most beautiful spots in Chefchaouen. In the afternoon, at our leisure, we'll stroll down to the stream, soothed by the gentle sound of water, to watch the women doing their laundry and see the watermills still in operation. This lovely path will take us to Rif Sebbanin, the washing quarter, with Sebbanin Square and its 15th-century mosque. Overnight stay and dinner at a riad in the medina.

This morning we'll depart early for Meknes. En route, we'll visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the largest Roman archaeological site in Morocco: the triumphal arch, the capitol, the House of Bacchus... all form this open-air treasure. On our way to Meknes, we'll pass through the holy city of Moulay Idriss, who converted the local Berber population to Islam before founding Fez. The city unfolds its beautiful white houses around the mausoleum and remains a spiritual center, a protected place that transports the traveler to another era. Arrival in Meknes, one of the most beautiful and powerful imperial cities in Morocco. Tour with a local guide. Its medina is smaller and more relaxed than its neighbor Fez, but no less important. Founded in the 10th century by a Berber tribe, it became the capital of the country in the 17th century. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even today, it is protected by some forty kilometers of walls, the most prominent of which is the Bab al-Mansour, a massive gate considered one of the most beautiful and well-preserved in the country. The city boasts imposing monuments, including numerous mosques, hence its nickname, "the city of a hundred minarets." We will visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the Heri es Souani granaries and stables, and the Habs Qara underground prison.

After the visit, we will travel to Fez, approximately 60 kilometers away. Accommodation and dinner at a riad in the medina or a 4-star hotel.

Today we will visit Fez el Bali, or the ancient Medina of Fez, one of the most authentic and best-preserved in the entire Arab world. We will wander through its labyrinthine medieval alleyways where, amidst the bustle of its people, artisan workshops, mosques, and palaces are hidden.

Fez is undoubtedly the holiest of Morocco's Imperial Cities, as well as the most culturally rich. Strolling through the Old City is like stepping back into the Middle Ages. We will be accompanied by a local guide, always on foot, as motor vehicles are prohibited in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, we will continue our visit, exploring the layout of the different neighborhoods, always centered around everyday scenes such as the Mosque, the Fountain, the Oven, the Baths, and the Koranic School. We will have the opportunity to see the famous tanneries, where leather is tanned, and climb to a viewpoint where, before sunset, we can hear the final call to prayer. Accommodation and dinner in a Riad in the Medina or a 4* hotel.

Today we have a long day ahead of us, but the variety and contrast of landscapes will more than make up for it. We'll travel through the Middle Atlas Mountains towards Marrakech. We'll pass through Ifrane, "Little Switzerland," where, if we're lucky, we might spot the Barbary macaques that inhabit its giant cedar forests. We'll continue through Azrou and Khenifra, enjoying all the Berber villages we pass along the way. Beni Mellal, one of the oldest inhabited places in North Africa, will be our next stop before arriving in Marrakech, the quintessential tourist capital. Accommodation will be in a riad in the Medina or a 5-star hotel.

Optional alternatives are available, such as flying or extending your trip by one night at Lake Bin el Ouadine to spread the journey over two days.

It's recommended to start by visiting the "unparalleled" Djemaa el-Fna Square. Around this time, the square fills with storytellers, fortune tellers, jugglers, tooth pullers, dancers, snake charmers, and much more. As evening falls, small, illuminated food stalls begin to appear outdoors, where you can sample typical dishes.

Last day with a vehicle.

This morning we'll take a walking tour of the Marrakech Medina with a local guide. We'll begin by admiring the Koutoubia Minaret, the twin of Seville's Giralda, and continue with a visit to the Bahia Palace. We'll wander through the narrow streets of the souk, where we'll have the opportunity to see various artisans at work, weaving carpets, making babouches (traditional slippers), and discovering an endless variety of high-quality handicrafts. We'll visit a Berber pharmacy where they'll share their "secrets." We'll then head back to Djemaa el-Fna Square, where the atmosphere is completely different by day than by night. The afternoon is free for you to practice your bargaining skills or explore the Medina's hidden corners at your leisure. Overnight stay in a riad in the Medina or a 5-star hotel.

The guided tour of Marrakech can be extended upon request to include the Ben Youssef Madrasa and Museum, the Saadian Tombs, the Majorelle Gardens, and more.

At the agreed time, transfer to Marrakech airport to catch your return flight.